Golf tee



G. w. THOMPSON 1,846,407

Feb. 23, 1932.

Patented Feb. 23, 1932 UNITED sures ous'ravus w. 'rrromrson, or SYRACUSE, New YORK.

GOLF TEE Application filed December 23, 1930. Serial No. 504,355.

The object of the invention is to provide a golf tee which may be readily varied as to height. To this end the tee is made in units or sections, which sections may be used singly or be readily assembled to provide a tee of any desired height, to suit the convenience of the user.

A further object of the invention is to so construct the units or sections that the connecting features, or at least some of them, shall constitute the means for fastening the tee in the ground, and for adjusting the same with respect to the level thereof.

A still further object is to so construct the sections that each shall have a ball seat, and all shall be interchangeable with respect to other sections, so that a seat for the ball is provided whichever section happens to be on the top.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the multiple unit tee in position in the ground, with a golf ball resting thereon.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the tee with a golf ball resting thereon, the units of the tee being shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of one of the sections, also enlarged, showing the recesses with which the cooperating parts of the next higher section will unite; and also showing the seat in which the ball rests.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View of a modified form of tee in which the units are merely rested one upon the other, without any special means for securing them together.

The form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 will first be described.

The numeral 10 indicates the several identical or substantially identical units of the tee. These units are each provided on one side with any desired number of pins, posts or similar devices 11, and on the other with the same number of holes or sockets 12, into which the pins or posts 11 of the next section may rest. 1

The sections 10 are interchangeable with each other, and preferably each 1s rovided with a central opening 13; but this 1s not essential, and the units may be made without the opening, as in the form shown in Fig. 4.

The sidewhich is usedasthe top of the sections is chamfered on the insideas at 14, to form a seat for the golf ball; and on the outside of the top as at 15, and also below asat 16 on the inside and at 17 on the outside. 65 But all of these chamfers except 14 may be omitted if desired, for they serve no special function. v

Each section on the side which is tobe used as the lower side isprovided with pins, posts 01' teeth-11; and on what maybe regarded as the upper side, with corresponding holes or recesses 12. These pins or posts 11 have a double function; those onthe lower section, or what happens to be the lower section, or on the lower side of the single section if only one section is used, serve to support the tee in the ground, or to adjust the same with respectto'the surface of the ground, as shown in Fig. 1; while those on the other sections, ifmore' than one section is used,enter the cooperating holes or sockets 12 on the tops of the sections, thus serving as the means for connectingthesections together; v

The tee, as it is used, is best illustrated in Fig. 1, where it is shown fixed in the ground, with theball 18 resting on the top thereof; and in Fig. 2, where the ball 18, 'enlargedto correspond with the enlarged sections, is shown in the seat or recess formed by the ina ner chamfer 14, or by this chamfer together with theopening 13.

When using this form of the invention, the player simply determines the size preferred, and then puts together enough, sections to secure this desired height. The tee as a'whole is then pressed into the earthwith sufficient firmness to steady the same. i If the ground is uneven, it may be forced into the earth far- 0 ther on one side than the other, thus bringing a the top into a plane that is horizontal, or substantially horizontal. j

,The sections are so constructed that the pins or posts 11 cooperate with the holes or recesses 12 with afit that istightenough to hold the sections together, but not so tight that they may not be easily separable, so that they. may be joined together or separated without the use of tools. And thepins and ice holes are preferably tapered to facilitate the union and separation of the elements.

In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, four pins or posts 11, are four corresponding depressions 12, are shown; it is to be understood,

7 however, that this number is merely suggestive, for the units may have any suitablenumber of pins and depressions, the-number not being of the essence of the invention.

The tees may be constructed of any suitable material; but can best' be made of someemae terial which is easily molded or cast. Moreover, this material may either be soluble or w and a plurality of equally spaced sockets arrangedin a series around the ball seat, and on the other side a series of pins equal in number and corresponding in position to the sockets on the first mentioned side, the pins on any section being adapted to be inserted in the groundto support the teepl tobe ena ed in t s cke e eapo h s c ion i a binding fit'to form a tee of any desired height.

viI-n.testimony whereof :I aflix my signature.

GUSTAVUS W. THOMPSON.

insoluble, as preferrediby themanufacturer OI USGI. 111 11 m fiqa io show i iF gthe s m r ete e ce;chara t r a e ueed o md the same-parts and features as in the form v shown in Fijgs. 1 to 3, as-ffar as the parts and features are identical in. the'two forms Thus 10 indicates the individual units orsections. fllheseare hereshown .as soliddisks, but the central parts are recessed, leavingannular v.

height is reached thepileis thenset onthe Z ground and the ballplaced in the recess in Y the top sec io Having thus I claim is "1. A golf tee co1nprising a substantially flat member of any desired shape having on one side thereoi a ball .seat and a ;series.o i sockets arranged around the ball seat, and having onithe other side-thereof aseriesof 'pins.equal-innuinber to and corresponding in described my inyentiom what position to the sockets on thefirstmentioned side, the pinsbeing adapted .tobe inserted in the ground to-sup-port, the tee or ;toj.be. engaged inthesockets of another section with ,abindinglfit to formfa ,tee of .any desired height.

2. A golf tee comprising a plurality of substantially identical sections,-'each section having on one side a ball seat and a series of sockets, and on the other side pins or dowels equal in number to and corresponding'in po sition to the sockets on the other side,- the pins and sockets'being of such formas-to engage each other-with' a binding" fit, whereby a tee o fany desired height witha ball seat onthe top may be formed. v 3. A golf tee-comprising a pluralityofsub I stan tiall'y identical. cylindrical sections, each sectlon having aballseat on-oneside thereof 

